Portrait Exhibit at Bedford Library through November 12

Submitted by the Art Steering Committee of the Bedford Free Public Library

The gallery at the Bedford Free Public Library is exhibiting Bedford photographer Bill Davison’s portrait series “Who I Am” through Wednesday, November 12, 2014. The show includes large-format portraits of clients and caregivers from Advocates, (www.advocatesinc.org), a human services organization headquartered in Framingham, MA. The portraits were a collaborative effort between subject and photographer with the goal of allowing clients to present themselves to the world exactly as they wanted to be seen.

In his artist’s statement Davison says, “I originally approached Advocates with the idea of a portrait project in the fall of 2010. I was interested in building a portfolio of images of interesting people who would be given the opportunity to present themselves to the world exactly as they wanted to be seen. After careful consideration of the possible positives and negatives of such a venture, an Advocates team was created to help me design a program to ensure the best possible results. This exceeded all of my expectations. I was convinced that if it turned out well for the clients, it would turn out well for me. Still, no one imagined the enthusiasm and commitment that this effort would stimulate in the clients, staff, volunteers and caregivers. Nor did I imagine the enormous gratification that working on this project would provide me personally. When people are offered the opportunity to present themselves simply and authentically, without judgements or constraints, surprising and wonderful things can happen.”